DEFENCE Minister Suthin Khlangsang has called Army chief Gen. Charoenchai Hinthao to a meeting tomorrow (Aug. 5) after a photo of around 10 privates who were allegedly stripped naked and abused by two non-commissioned officers while undergoing training at a camp in Chiang Mai spread online, Naewna newspaper and TV Channel 7 said today.
Suthin said this kind of abuse has happened many times and either it was the instructors who meted out too tough punishment or more senior soldiers ganging up and abusing the juniors.
If any soldiers were found to have broken the rules then action had to be taken against them according to the law, he said, adding full justice must be given to the victims with the Army Commander to be told to strictly warn soldiers to not abuse others.
Earlier Col. Richa Suksuwanon, deputy spokesman of the army, said a committee had been set up to investigate an allegation that around 10 privates attached to the 25th Cavalry Battalion of the 4th Cavalry Regiment, King’s Guard, had been abused by two non-commissioned officers.
Those who have additional information on this issue or more complaints to file were told to contact the Office of the Secretary of the Army, 113 Ratchadamnoen Nok road, Bang Khun Phrom subdistrict, Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok 10200, or call 02-297-7836, 02-297-8307.
They could also download the S.M.A.R.T soldier app and file a complaint there.
A community Facebook page, Sai Mai Tong Rod (Sai Mai District Must Survive), had mentioned that the sister of one of the 10 privates had complained that recently a corporal and a sergeant, who were drunk, ordered them to strip naked and stand in the rain and the cold in the middle of the night for six hours.
During this time they were slapped, kicked and stomped.
She added that many other privates too had been assaulted but this was done in a way to not show any external wounds but it is painful within the body.
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Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang and an image of the around 10 privates being abused. Photo: Naewna
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